In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Nollywood has bid farewell to one of its most beloved actors, Obinna Nwafor, popularly known as Saint Obi. The news of his untimely demise shook the internet like a thunderbolt last Saturday, leaving the industry and his fans in a state of mourning. Among those deeply affected by this tragic loss is the legendary filmmaker Zeb Ejiro, who has been reflecting on the profound connection he shared with the late actor.
Destiny and work intertwined their paths, as Ejiro vividly recalls their first encounter during the planning stages of his groundbreaking 1998 movie on HIV/AIDS advocacy, titled ‘Goodbye Tomorrow.’ This significant project, partially sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), stood as one of Ejiro’s most significant cinematic achievements.
Originally, Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) was slated to play the lead role of Mark Alade in the film. However, tragedy struck just two weeks before production was set to begin when RMD’s beloved wife, Mee, succumbed to the cold hands of death. This devastating loss led to a pivotal moment for Saint Obi, as RMD himself recommended him to Ejiro as a worthy replacement.
Recalling their first encounter, Ejiro shares, “We had completed casting and were getting ready to hit the location when a tall, handsome young man strolled into my office in Surulere. RMD was supposed to play the lead character, alongside Hilda Dokubo. We had concluded plans to commence production, but two weeks before we were set to begin, RMD’s wife, Mee, passed on.”
Realizing that RMD would be unable to partake in the production, Ejiro began considering various actors to fill the void left by the grieving actor. It was at this moment that Saint Obi, a well-built and charismatic individual with a light complexion, serendipitously walked into Ejiro’s office, guided by a recommendation. Instantly captivated by Saint Obi’s presence, Ejiro knew he had found his new lead actor. Saint Obi, who had already embarked on his acting career in 1988 with the soap opera “Behind The Clouds” in Jos, expressed his enthusiasm and successfully auditioned for the role.
Thus, their journey together began, and “Goodbye Tomorrow” became a monumental success, with Saint Obi delivering an exceptional performance alongside Hilda Dokubo. Ejiro reminisces, “It was one of the best movies I have ever done in my life.” Following this initial collaboration, Saint Obi and Ejiro worked together on several other projects, including “Candle Light” and various TV series.
Tragically, Saint Obi’s last telephone conversation with Ejiro occurred just two weeks before his passing. After attempting to reach the actor for nearly a week, Ejiro was relieved to hear from him. Ejiro had been planning to remake his iconic 90s TV series, “Ripples,” and had hoped to include Saint Obi in the production.
However, due to the lack of communication, Ejiro had proceeded with shooting the series in Ibadan. Saint Obi’s call came as a surprise, as he revealed his prolonged illness and hospitalization, which had necessitated multiple surgeries without significant improvement. Faced with these challenges, Saint Obi’s elder sister made arrangements to transfer him to Jos for better medical care. Sadly, this would be their final conversation, as Ejiro promised to reach out
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